Today we repost another episode from the Hank Unplugged podcast. They’ll tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of Orthodox practice: the use of icons in worship. Together they examine the historical and biblical foundations for iconography, drawing on the teachings of John of Damascus and exploring how those who oppose icons might be missing key aspects of Christ's incarnation. The conversation moves from the practical role icons played in spreading the faith in pre-literate societies to their continued relevance and profound impact in today's world.

Original episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=updb-fkGCwE

All the links:

X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast

Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/

Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/

Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs

(00:00) Intro

(05:30) John of Damascas and his defense of icons

(08:55) Do those who are against icons, iconoclasts, have an inadequate view of the incarnation?

(16:40) Explaining the veneration of icons

(29:30) The historical role of icons in a world of illiteracy and oral traditions that didn’t have the biblical texts that we often take for granted today

(34:15) The appeal and potential profundity of icons in our world today as evangelical examples

(41:20) Does the Bible Answer Man’s son believe he has left the Christian faith?

Watch Dr. Nathan Jacobs and Bible Answer Man host Hank Hanegraaff explore Eastern Orthodox perspectives on faith, works, and Mary's role in Christianity. Together they unpack common misconceptions about Orthodox beliefs, diving deep into why Mary's significance extends far beyond being Jesus's mother, and how Eastern Christians view the relationship between faith and salvation. Originally aired on the Hank Unplugged Podcast on March 3, 2020.

Original episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IkWN4WgIKc

All the links:

X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast

Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/

Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/

Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs

(03:37) Why do some Evangelicals believe that Hank Hanegraaff left the Christian faith when he became Eastern Orthodox?

(07:37) Discussing the differing framework of faith and works in the East and the West

(20:47) We are not saved by good works, but for good works

(23:42) Discussing the Dormition of the Mother of God, Mary

(26:37) The perpetual virginity of Mary

(34:47) The role of Mary in the Incarnation and the profound theological implications

(38:17) A preview of the next conversation in this podcast series with Nathan Jacobs on Sola Scriptura

You're surely familiar with the popularized details of the Mary and Nativity stories. This week, Dr. Jacobs is going to deep dive into the extra Biblical tradition of Mary and the birth of Christ, as well as exploring what the devil was up to while the Christ child was gestating in Mary's womb.

https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/on-mary-the-mother-of-god-1-of-2?r=r1mfj

All the links:

X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast

Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/

Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/

Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:02) The common Nativity Story

(00:05:56) Christian Tradition: the stories and practices beyond the Bible

(00:25:06) Extra Biblical texts (the Gospel of James and Nicodemus)

(00:30:16) The lesser known details about the Mary’s origins

(00:48:08) A brief note on Mary’s perpetual virginity and the birth of Jesus Christ

(00:54:37) Who were the wisemen (Magi) and Herod’s search for the newborn King

(00:58:19) Bringing the Christ child to the temple

(01:01:32) The Christian perspective on the origin of evil

(01:10:06) The rebellion of angels

(01:20:48) An analysis of miracles

(01:37:02) The devil and the Nativity story